Manchester City reduce Champions League ticket prices and unveil new purchase criteria | OneFootball

Decision makers at Manchester City have opted to reduce their UEFA Champions League ticket prices for the league phase of the competition, it has been revealed.

The announcement comes as supporters prepare for another busy European calendar, with Pep Guardiola’s side set to welcome Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and Galatasaray to the Etihad Stadium across the next five months.

With the competition adopting a league phase structure for the second season running and foreseeable, Manchester City officials have acted to make tickets more affordable while also addressing the risk of away supporters accessing home sections of the ground.

Fans have often expressed concerns over Champions League ticket pricing in previous seasons, particularly in comparison to domestic football. Last season, the high-profile clash with Inter Milan cost supporters between £37.50 and £77.50. By reducing prices, City are seeking to maintain strong home attendances while recognising the financial pressure on fans.

The policy also arrives during a season where Pep Guardiola’s men face a demanding run of games, with league phase matches scheduled in quick succession alongside Premier League and domestic cup commitments.

As confirmed by the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski, City have reduced their Etihad Stadium ticket prices in the UEFA Champions League’s league phase, with the clash against Napoli costing between £35 and £55 for adults with under-18s priced at £15.

Such a pricing structure aligns with the game being deemed a ‘Category B’ fixture by the club – equivalent to watching Manchester City host Everton in the Premier League. The equivalent fixture last season, Inter Milan, was priced at £37.50 to £77.50 for adults.

Elsewhere in the calendar, it is revealed that Borussia Dortmund’s visit will be priced the same as Napoli, while contests against Bayer Leverkusen and Galatasaray will be priced between £25 and £45 for adults and £10 for Under-18s – cheaper than the cheapest Premier League games.

As for purchase criteria, City have also taken action to try to prevent tickets being bought by away supporters, with part of the conditions for league phase tickets being that supporters must have had a ‘matchday membership’ before the draw was made, and have attended at least one game.

The reduction in ticket costs may prove popular with the fanbase, particularly given the prospect of hosting some of Europe’s most hostile and well-travelled away supports.

Napoli and Dortmund are renowned for their vocal followings, while Galatasaray’s travelling support is often among the loudest in European football. City’s ticketing criteria may therefore play a key role in safeguarding the home atmosphere inside the Etihad.

Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see if this pricing approach sets a precedent for future seasons or whether the reduced scale is a one-off to coincide with the still relatively new Champions League format.

If successful in ensuring full houses and strong atmospheres, the club could extend this model into later rounds or even Premier League games in the future.